Chapter twenty-six

Spencer

Late in the evening, I made up my mind to leave for the castle. It was a mental struggle leaving Maisy to fend for herself there. Mr Quinn was very convincing so I decided to stay until after dinner.  I decided to get to know Lucy better.

At that time, She was just staring outside watching the sunset. She didn't talk much and especially to me.

I walked up to her and said,

"What are you doing?"

It was the perfect conversation starter. Quinn was asleep which meant he wouldn't be here to cut into our would be an intense discussion.

"Nothing." She replied, avoiding eye contact.

There was something about her I couldn't quite place. A gut feeling that she was bad luck.

"I don't mean to be rude but what happened to your father?" I quizzed.

Her face turned white, ghost white. She appeared to be afraid and agitated. A lump formed in my throat. I could tell whatever happened to him wasn't good. For a moment, I thought she was going to burst into tears and tell me a sad story that would make me feel like the devil himself.

"But..."

"He was murdered." She cut in.

"That's sad..."

"I wouldn't say he didn't deserve it." She continued, "And I know what you're doing. You think I don't deserve your daughter's inheritance. I'm a freeload right. Just an indentured who got lucky."

That hit me more than I would ever know. Silas was indentured before Quinn bought his freedom. She was a freeborn.

"Why would you think that?"

"I'm not the one who's saying it. It's you."

"I literally said nothing."

"You don't have to say it out loud. I'm not like my father. I've heard more than enough stories to know he wasn't the Father any child would want."

It was almost like she could read my mind. I didn't think of her as evil. I was just concerned.

"I'm sorry to hear about your father. If you want to talk about it..."

"I can do it myself." She retorted sharply before storming to the kitchen.

I could hear her sobbing inside. I figured it was better to leave her to herself. She apparently hadn't gotten over it and my presence would only make it worse. I guess my suspicions were all for nothing but still who killed him? He was a terrible person and had many enemies but Murder was severe even for a man like him.

  Quinn eventually roused and joined me. Lucy remained in the kitchen cooking.

The mystery behind Silas' murder kept me unease so I decided to get the whole juice from Quinn.

"I had a talk with Lucy. She said something about Silas being murdered."

"She told you?"

"Yes. Did you find out why he was murdered?"

"I'm still surprised she remembers. She was just a little girl. About his murder, He was daggered in his sleep. The dagger belonged to the rebel group, paladins I believe."

"Paladins?"

The famed revolution only dealt with vanquishing all supernaturals. They wouldn't kill Silas if he was human. He had to have been a supernatural and a dangerous one. I knew the sect but I doubted Lucy knew.

***

Maisy

Ignoring the horrible vision I saw, I escaped to my room. It was away from humanity. It was almost like I was running mad. The voices returned with a firing intensity. It felt like a thousand voices telling you what to do.

"Stop! Stop!" I begged, Collapsing on the floor and curling up to a ball.

It got so worse that I suspected my ears were starting to bleed then it suddenly stopped. The pain disappeared and I felt instant relief. I remained on the cold floor trying to get a hang of myself. I was breathless and my ear rang painfully.

The voices... They had disappeared for a long time. I wasn't being haunted by Tatia anymore. It began afresh after my encounter with Conrad. A crow was a bad omen, Signifying sickness and death. If what I saw was a revelation or something, That would mean Conrad was going to die.

A knock on the door interrupted my thoughts. I got up and rushed to the door before it was opened. No one could see me in this state. I've had enough drama for one day.

I opened the door halfway so whoever was outside would only see a small portion of my face.

"What are you doing here?" I stiffened seeing Eric.

He stumbled making me guess he was drunk.

"Are you drunk?" I quizzed, trying to act concerned.

"Can we talk?" He slurred.

"Go away." I retorted and shut the door as quick as I could.

Eric had anticipated my move and put his hand in before the big bang.

That had to hurt.

"Are you okay?" I blurted.

"Yes, but Can we talk?"

I rolled my eyes and reopened the door.

"I don't want to hear it."

"Okay... But just give me three minutes."

"What! I don't even want to be near you..."

"Please?"

His eyes looked so innocent, seductive and enticing.  Who could resist that?

"Two minutes," I said after a quick thought and let him in.

"So what do you want to talk about?" I quizzed taking a seat on the edge of the bed.

He was beside me and I could tell he was staring but I was so not going to let that bother me even if it did.

"I... came here to talk."

"I know that already Eric. Just get to the point. Your time is running out."

"Okay." He took a deep and slow breath before saying, "I love you Maisy."

The look in my face said it all. I couldn't breathe. I didn't like this effect one bit.

"You've said that a million times Eric. Why should I believe you? Is that what you came to tell me? Pathetic."

I got to my feet, headed to the door, opened it and begged him to get out.

"Maisy why do you keep hurting me. I came here drunk just to tell you how I feel. I can't take it when you keep hating me. It makes me bleed."

This part was really hilarious. He said I was the one causing him pain. This narcissistic son of a god was blaming me for the pain he caused me. I was going to give it to him hot and raw.

"Well, Hopefully, you'll die from your bleeds. How dare you blame me for this! It's you, Eric! It was always you." I retorted, unconsciously walking up to him in my mad rage.

I stopped when I noticed how close we were. I would see my eyes in his star-like eyes, A perfect hue of golden.

"I'm sorry Maisy. I had no intention of hurting you but If you're going to be safe. You had to be far away from me."

"Like I'll fall for that. You must think I'm really a blonde to fall your dumb antics. I'm sure Sara wouldn't object to your lies."

"Maisy, I did marry you for your inheritance but you've been destined to be mine."

Possessive tendencies, Could this get any worse?

"I know we share no stories but Maisy, Believe me when I say I love you." His eyes were heavy, almost like they would shatter if I said the words I needed to say.

I couldn't give me to his antics I didn't want to be broken again and again.

"That's too bad Eric. Whatever I felt for you is gone. Whatever is left is my hate."

It took a lot to say that and it was even more difficult keeping a straight face while doing it. I saw teardrops escape his eyes. He was hurt, This couldn't be drama. It made me feel terrible but I shook it off, Eric deserved worse.

I watched him clear his eyes and approach me. His eyes were glazed, the bright blue in them now replaced by a stunning steel blue. They looked cold.

"What are you doing?" I breathed and tried to get away from him. My legs failed me and he reached me. His hands caressed my fingers and I felt so weak that the knob slipped away from my hands. Eric shut the door and fixated his attention all on me.

"I can tell you're lying Maisy."

"Really?" I retorted, putting on a brave face. The effect of his touch with overwhelming but I could survive. " You seem to be living in your built-up fairytale Eric."

"There is only one way to prove that now isn't there?"

"What do you mean?" My voice wavered, it was difficult breathing being so close to drugs.

His lips brushed mine. Not innocently, like a tease but hot, fiery and demanding.

I tried pulling away before I lost myself but I couldn't seem to. Even my body wanted to sin.

In this fiery moment of pure passion, I couldn't think straight.

"Stop me if you hate me Maisy." He whispered slowly.

To be truthful, All I could hear was his voice, empty words.

I wanted to do it so badly. To push me away and prove to him there was nothing left but He was a mistake so beautiful I couldn't refuse. A temptation I desired. He was sin.